February 24, 2013

The Sims 3: 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff
is all about adding fashions and trends that were big hits in these decades, to
your game. Fashionable new choices for your Sims can turn an average Sim into
an interesting Sim that is the talk of the town. The new décor can turn a boring
home into the coolest afterschool hangout, or the place where the best parties
in town are at. How you want to use the new items is up to you!

Game
Description

“Give your Sims the hottest looks and
coolest décor from yesteryear with The Sims 3 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff. Rock
all-new outfits, crazy hairstyles, and facial hair. Sport a 70s disco look with
a wide-collared suit and bell-bottom pants, go 80s glam with shoulder pads and
bangle earrings, or throw on a rumpled flannel shirt for a wild 90s grunge
look. And don’t forget to redecorate your Sims’ homes to suit the decade! The
Starlight Party Ball or the Neonis Foosball Table will totally give your Sims’
homes that perfect flashback touch. Bring back all the crazy trends, from
feathered hair to parachute pants to console stereos as your Sims warp back in
time.

FEATURES
Get fashion essentials and on-trend décor to outfit your Sims and their homes
in stylish looks of decades past.

oThe Groovy 70s
Fashion—Pump the tunes on your Sims’ stereo system and show off their
moves—and their righteous threads. From flared jeans and bellbottoms to halter
top catsuits and platforms shoes, your Sims are ready to boogie the night away
in style!Décor—Add some righteous décor to your Sims’ home with a console stereo
system, minimalist furnishings, a far out disco ball, and more. Can you dig it?

oThe Awesome 80s
Fashion—Don some legwarmers, a leotard, and a headband and your Sim is
ready to get physical—at the gym, that is! Outfitted in a vibrant structured
suit with shoulder pads, they’re set to bound up the career ladder. Whatever
their activity, with the awesome 80s attire, they’re dressed for success, for
sure!Décor—Set your Sims up with radical pinup wall art, tubular arcade
games, and a, like totally slick entertainment system—and let the shimmies
start shaking!

oThe Grunge 90s
Fashion—Whether your Sims are sporting the anti-fashion grunge look in
tattered jeans and layered tops or a casual-chic outfit featuring an asymmetrical
handkerchief hemline skirt, they’re sure to get mad props for their 90s fashion
sense.Décor—Drag out the distressed furniture for an industrial metal look
that says you don’t care about the establishment—even if secretly you do.

oNew hairstyles and facial hair—Complete
your Sims’ flashback look with new hairstyles from their favorite decade, from
the feathered look of the 70s to the poofed tease of the 80s to a lank grunge
‘do of the 90s and more.” – The
Sims 3: 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff

My Thoughts

The Sims 3:
70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff is a really fun addition to the game. I grew up
in the 80s and 90s, so I know those decades very well. Dressing my Sims in
looks from these decades was fun, and I added in some of the new décor to give
a fun retro vibe.

There are new hairstyles for men and women
included, and some facial hair for the guys. The new additions definitely show
off the decades being portrayed, which is fun, and I liked it. However, not
enough were added, at least in my opinion. I only counted 4 for women and 2 for
men.

The new clothing was my favorite part of the “Stuff”
pack. However, again, not as many were included as I would have liked. Women
got more than the men, as usual. Not that I mind this, but for stuff packs, I
think they should really give you more than what they have been offering in
this category. Toddlers, children, teen, and elderly Sims should also be given
additions. There also weren’t any new designs (with fabrics) that I noticed.
They could have made some really cool additions in this category that could be
used with all types of clothing and furnishings, so it is a bummer that they
didn’t utilize this as part of their stuff pack.

The 1980s seems to be the main decade they
featured in this addition to the game. Most of the content included is from
this era. There are items from all three decades, but the main focus looks like
it is very late 70s to early to mid 80s.

Overall, I enjoy the new additions that this Stuff
pack brings. I wish there were more of it, but that is usually the case. If you
are a diehard Sims 3 fan, and want to add in more fun content for your game,
this is definitely a Stuff pack you want. Same goes if you want to bring in
items from these decades. However, if you want more content, I’d hold out and
wait for The Sims 3: University or another expansion pack where you get more
for your money.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Sims 3: 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff, Electronic Arts, and
Gamers
Gate for providing me with a
digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All experiences and
opinions expressed are my own.

February 23, 2013

E-Squared by Pam Grout is provides
nine powerful experiments that you can do to create what you want out of your
reality. She claims that they work, but it is up to you to try them and prove
it for yourself. Are you willing to try to see if it works for you, too?

Book
Description

“Don't face reality. Create reality!

E-Squared could best be described as a lab manual with
simple experiments to prove once and for all that reality is malleable, that
consciousness trumps matter, and that you shape your life with your mind.
Rather than take it on faith, you are invited to conduct nine 48-hour
experiments to prove there really is a positive, loving, totally hip force in
the universe. Yes, you read that right. It says prove. The
experiments, each of which can be conducted with absolutely no money and very
little time expenditure, demonstrate that spiritual principles are as
dependable as gravity, as consistent as Newton's laws of motion. For years,
you've been hoping and praying that spiritual principles are true. Now, you can know.

E-Squared proves the following:
1. There is an invisible energy force or field of infinite possibilities.
2. You impact the field and draw from it according to your beliefs and
expectations.
3. You, too, are a field of energy.
4. Whatever you focus on expands.
5. Your connection to the field provides accurate and unlimited guidance.
6. Your thoughts and consciousness impact matter.
7. Your thoughts and consciousness provide the scaffolding for your physical
body.
8. You are connected to everything and everyone else in the universe.
9. The universe is limitless, abundant, and strangely accommodating.” – E-Squared

My Thoughts

E-Squared
is a book that can truly change the way that you look at the world, and also
change what happens in your world. Pam Grout gives examples of experiments that
you can try to see if it will work for you, and prove to yourself that by doing
some simple steps and changing how you view the world, will in fact work with
you to create what you want!

I found this to be a fun and uplifting read, and I
am going to try the experiments myself later this week. If you are someone who
wants to change their life for the better, or know someone who does, this is a
great guidebook to get you there!

* Thank you
to the publisher of E-Squared, Hay
House, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

Integrative Wellness Rules by Dr.
James P. Nicolai is a book for your health that combines health, fitness, mind,
body, and soul, with the author’s personal stories, wit, and wisdom. This is a
truly integrative book on wellness that aims at helping you as a whole person.

Book
Description

“Have you ever found that you needed to change things in
your life, but for some reason life kept getting in the way?

Integrative Wellness Ruleswill help you get around that obstacle.In the age of conflicting advice on health, this
book provides quick and easy health tips for individuals who are on the run but
still need strategies to better manage their fast-paced lives. Join Dr. Jim
Nicolai-the medical director of the Andrew Weil, M.D., Integrative Wellness
Program at Miraval Resort and Spa-as he shares with you the insights and
strategies he has collected along the way to optimize health and create
wellness.

With a style that
is clear, concise, and entertaining, Dr. Nicolai will provide you with the keys
to healthier living in a way that is profoundly simple and yet simply profound.
You will learn how to eat better, choose the vitamins and supplements that are
best for you, manage stress more effectively, and get in touch with your spiritual
side. Dr. Nicolai will call you to action with his pearls of wit, wisdom, and
humor, and motivate you by providing real-world clarity on which health
strategies to add within your already busy life.” – Integrative Wellness Rules

My Thoughts

Integrative
Wellness Rules is a great book to read by a doctor that isn’t preachy or
harsh on people who aren’t exactly being very healthy. Some doctors who author
books (not mentioning any names) are the exact opposite, which don’t exactly
make me a happy reader who wants to read the rest of the book, or follow their
advice. I am very glad that Dr. Nicolai takes a more soulful and helping
approach in this book. It is truly integrative wellness for the whole body, and
is an excellent book to read to motivate anyone to approach their wellbeing in
a more healthy way. I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to change
their life for the better.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Integrative Wellness Rules, Hay House, for providing me with a
copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Next Time You See Me by Holly
Goddard Jones is set in a small rural town in Kentucky. The characters are
lonely, somewhat self-proclaimed outcasts who are hiding secrets of their own. This
heartbreaking tale will keep you reading long into the night to find out what
happens next.

Book
Description

“InThe
Next Time You See Me, the disappearance of one woman, the hard-drinking and
unpredictable Ronnie Eastman, reveals the ambitions, prejudices, and anxieties
of a small southern town and its residents. There’s Ronnie’s sister Susanna, a
dutiful but dissatisfied schoolteacher, mother, and wife; Tony, a failed
baseball star-turned-detective; Emily, a socially awkward thirteen-year-old
with a dark secret; and Wyatt, a factory worker tormented by a past he can’t
change and by a love he doesn’t think he deserves. Connected in ways they
cannot begin to imagine, their stories converge in a violent climax that
reveals not just the mystery of what happened to Ronnie but all of their secret
selves.” – The
Next Time You See Me

My Thoughts

The Next
Time You See Me is a very character driven book that creates a Southern
town and its residents that could be so true to life, it is eerie. The main
characters are memorable, and have qualities that everyone can relate to, even
if to a small degree. My personal favorite was Emily, the outcast thirteen year
old. However, Susanna is a close second. The lonely characters make you want to
hug them, and help them through the story, which becomes woven together like a
literary master. Fantastic story that is a great read for anyone. I highly
recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Next Time You See Me, Touchstone, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

The Mirage by Matt Ruff is a story
that recreates the 9/11 story to a completely different reality. One where the
Christian States of America is a demoralized war zone, and fundamentalist
Christians hijacked planes to take down the United Arab States.

Book
Description

“A mind-bending novel in which an alternate history of 9/11
and its aftermath uncovers startling truths about America and the Middle East

11/9/2001: Christian
fundamentalists hijack four jetliners. They fly two into the Tigris &
Euphrates World Trade Towers in Baghdad, and a third into the Arab Defense
Ministry in Riyadh. The fourth plane, believed to be bound for Mecca, is
brought down by its passengers.

The United Arab States
declares a War on Terror. Arabian and Persian troops invade the Eastern
Seaboard and establish a Green Zone in Washington, D.C. . . .

Summer, 2009: Arab
Homeland Security agent Mustafa al Baghdadi interrogates a captured suicide
bomber. The prisoner claims that the world they are living in is a mirage—in
the real world, America is a superpower, and the Arab states are just a
collection of "backward third-world countries." A search of the
bomber's apartment turns up a copy ofThe
New York Times, dated September 12, 2001, that appears to support his
claim. Other captured terrorists have been telling the same story. The
president wants answers, but Mustafa soon discovers he's not the only
interested party.

The gangster Saddam
Hussein is conducting his own investigation. And the head of the Senate
Intelligence Committee—a war hero named Osama bin Laden—will stop at nothing to
hide the truth. As Mustafa and his colleagues venture deeper into the
unsettling world of terrorism, politics, and espionage, they are confronted
with questions without any rational answers, and the terrifying possibility
that their world is not what it seems.

Acclaimed novelist Matt
Ruff has created a shadow world that is eerily recognizable but, at the same
time, almost unimaginable. Gripping, subversive, and unexpectedly moving,The Mirageprobes our deepest convictions and
most arresting fears.” – The
Mirage

My Thoughts

The Mirage
is the type of book that goes against the normality of mainstream books that
aim at becoming bestsellers. Matt Ruff chose to create his story of an
alternate history of 9/11, and deals with the moral, political, and religious issues
that would surround this “War on Terror.” A brave move from an author that
could be brilliant, or fall flat on its face, destined for the clearance rack.

For me, I think it worked out well. The author is
able to create an alternate reality (without getting all sci-fi), and looks at
the societal and cultural ethics of that reality, as well as shining the light
on our current ethics and social norms. It is a thought provoking thriller that
is much too good to give away surprises. So, if you want to jump into an
alternate zone and find out “what if”, read this book!

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Mirage, Harper
Perennial, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All
opinions expressed are my own.

February 22, 2013

Treasure Yourself by Miranda Kerr is
aimed to help you become empowered by who you are as a person. The tips and
resources included in the book are great starters for anyone who needs a little
extra help to uncover their unique gifts.

Book
Description

“Miranda Kerr is many things
supermodel, activist, wife, and mother-but she is also an emerging voice in the
world of self-empowerment. Now she has written a book to shine the light of
positivity on those who need it most.

"I wish to share my
inspiration with you so that you will treasure and believe in yourself,"
she explains. "If you have faith in your abilities and accept who you are,
you will uncover your unique gifts. We all have wings, but it is up to each one
of us to have the courage to fly.

"My hope is that my
words and the affirmations I have included will help empower you to reach for
your dreams, even in difficult times. With action, anything in life is
possible."” – Treasure Yourself

My Thoughts

Treasure
Yourself is a book that reads like it was actually written by the celebrity
author, which I like. I know that some celebrity books (on a variety of topics)
read like their editor red-penned everything and completely changed what they
wrote. This one doesn’t do that, and if they did, well, I can’t tell, sorry!
BUT – that is what I like about it. Miranda Kerr wrote this book that does
focus on learning how to actually treasure yourself for who you are as a
person, and reading it, does sound like it is coming from her own voice.

This is a truly inspiring book that leaves me
feeling uplifted each time I read it. The quotes and insight in the book are
great, and I couldn’t ask for more with what the book is. If you need some
self-treasuring tips, this is the book for you!

* Thank you
to the publisher of Treasure Yourself, Hay
House, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

February 10, 2013

The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids
by Ammi-Joan Paquette is a fun children’s book that will take kids on an
adventure to find mermaids. The illustrations are a mixture of realism and
artwork that makes for a beautiful way to give kids a sense of imagination and
adventure.

Book
Description

“Have you ever walked on the beach and looked for shells or
clams? There are creatures, more like you and me, who are even more interesting
to look for. Most people don't see them, but they might just not know how to
look for signs. That sand dollar - why, that could be a mermaid-size surfboard.
Those twisted reeds - a bed for a lovely afternoon mermaid nap. And if you peer
closely into the water, you might see a mermaid market.

This is a lovely
activity for a fun day at the beach and a way to encourage paying close
attention to all the interesting things that can be found on the beach or in
the water.” – The Tiptoe
Guide to Tracking Mermaids

My Thoughts

The Tiptoe
Guide to Tracking Mermaids is a beautifully designed book to bring an imaginative
fun-filled day for children going on a mermaid tracking adventure at the beach.
If you don’t live near a beach, or aren’t visiting one soon, you can always
alter this to be at a lake or river, mermaids surely live there, too.

This book isn’t just for kids, the parents who
read this with their children will enjoy it, too. It is a delightful book, and
if you are reading this with a child who is just starting to learn to read, it
will be even better helping them through it, and discovering mermaids and
magical things with each page.

The creative insight with this book is fantastic.
I absolutely love how much fun it is, and how it brings imagination, a sense of
wonder and adventure to adults as well as children. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids, Tanglewood Press, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Know Yourself, Forget Yourself by Marc
Lesser is a book to help you find out what your life’s purpose really is. Many
of us struggle with finding the “right” job, or path in life, and Marc Lesser
helps us discover it within ourselves. When reading this book and figuring it
out, you might end up surprising yourself by where you end up going in life.

Book
Description

“We all yearn for clear-cut answers to life’s problems,
yet we rarely get them. Formulas fail and contradictions mount. InKnow Yourself, Forget Yourself,
executive coach and mindfulness teacher Marc Lesser shows that understanding
and embracing the points where life feels most confusing, most contradictory
can lead us to more satisfaction and joy.

Lesser provides clear guidance and simple
practices for embracing five central paradoxes in life and navigating them to
increase our effectiveness and happiness. Influenced by the revolutionary
mindfulness and emotional intelligence trainings he helped develop at Google,Know Yourself, Forget Yourselfis a profound book about cultivating
the emotional skills to understand the right path through difficulties and
challenges.” – Know
Yourself, Forget Yourself

My Thoughts

Know
Yourself, Forget Yourself is a book many of us need to read. We end up
doing many things through the course of our lives that take us off the path we
were meant to live. Getting back on track isn’t always easy, and many times, we’re
just not sure what to do, where to go, and feel stuck. I know I’ve felt this
way many times. I ended up rediscovering my purpose on my own, but if I had
this book, maybe I wouldn’t have wasted quite a few years in the process of
figuring it out.

My favorite part of the book is banishing
perfectionism. I am one of those people who usually want to do everything
perfect, or not do it at all. It doesn’t really have to be that way though!
Also, be confident and question everything. I have had issues with this in the
past (and present), and really hope to be able to change this about myself.

This is an incredibly helpful and eye-wakening
book. If you aren’t ready to live up to your full potential, don’t read this
book. If you want to change and become who you are meant to be, please read
this book! I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, New World Library, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 9, 2013

Feeding the Hungry Ghost by Ellen
Kanner is about cooking great food, and savoring the experience of a good meal
with family and friends. The recipes included are vegan, but that doesn’t mean
you have to be in order to enjoy them. Try the recipes, enjoy the stories, and
have fun and truly enjoy food again.

Book
Description

“What do we turn to for both everyday sustenance and
seasonal celebration? Food. Often, though, we’re like the hungry ghosts of
Taoist lore, eating mindlessly, wandering aimlessly, and wanting more — more
than food itself can provide. Ellen Kanner believes that if we put in a little
thought and preparation, every meal can feed not only our bodies but our souls
and our communities as well. Warm, wicked, and one-of-a-kind, Ellen offers an
irreverent approach to bringing reverence into daily living — and eating. She
presents global vegan recipes that call you to the table, stories that make you
stand up and cheer, and gentle nudges that aim to serve up what we’re hungry
for: a more vital self, more loving and meaningful connections, a nourished and
nourishing world, and great food, too.Feeding
the Hungry Ghostwill
challenge you to decide: keep reading or start cooking?” – Feeding
the Hungry Ghost

My Thoughts

Feeding the
Hungry Ghost is a beautiful mixture of stories with recipes to feed your
body and soul. This is a vegan book that reminds us that food is meant to be
shared with family and friends, and enjoyed. Food is good and even better when
it is bought locally when it is in season.

Although the author does stress going vegan, it is
not something that is for everyone. However, everyone can enjoy the recipes and
stories included in the book. Make some of the recipes for yourself and see if
you like them, and want to incorporate them into your meals throughout the
seasons.

Some of my favorite recipes included in the book:

Lavender Tea

Down and Dirty
Rice

Unconventional
but Seductive Veggie Paella

Moroccan Carrot
Salad

I enjoyed reading this book and discovering some
truly new and tasty recipes. If you like food (and honestly, who doesn’t?), try
this book and the recipes in it. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Feeding the Hungry Ghost, New World Library, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Guide to Zen by Katsuki Sekida is
a condensed version of the author’s work “Zen Training.” This version of the
book was edited down by Marc Allen to include the Zen Master’s original
teachings in a much shorter and condensed manner. If you wish to learn more
about Zen, and how it can help the quality of your life, be sure to read this
book!

Book
Description

“Katsuki Sekida was both a great writer and a great Zen
master, and his books on Zen are among the most comprehensive ever written in
English. In these pages, his former student Marc Allen culls the finest pieces
from the original works to create a beautifully readable, brilliantly
illuminating guide to Zen meditation. It begins with a summary of Zen,
continues with a complete course in Zen meditation, and ends with comments on a
Zen classic,In Search of the Missing Ox. Specific practices are featured throughout, such
as “One-Minute Zazen” and other gems that are the result of a lifetime of
study. For students of Zen both new and old, Sekida’s teachings are an endless
source of insight and wisdom.” – A
Guide to Zen

My Thoughts

A Guide to
Zen is a marvelous little book. It starts off with a summary of Zen that
makes it simple enough for someone who knows nothing about it to understand.
The Zen meditations included are a great tool for newcomers and practitioners
to use.

For me though, I love the stories included, and
the teachings of what Zen really is. Just reading this book makes me calmer,
and in a highly stressful college major, that is truly amazing.

I love this guide. It is simple, to the point, and
contains so much knowledge and help within the pages. It is a book that is
perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about understanding Zen, and can
definitely impact the quality of one’s life who reads it. I highly recommend
it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of A Guide to Zen, New
World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All
opinions expressed are my own.

Gods of Mischief by George Rowe is a
look into the author’s undercover mission to help the federal government take
down the vicious Vagos motorcycle gang. It is fast paced, dirty, and full of
danger. It reads like a season of a television show or a movie that is just too
crazy to be true, but for Rowe, it is very real indeed.

Book
Description

“The high-octane,
no-holds-barred, true story of a bad guy turned good who infiltrated one of the
most violent outlaw motorcycle gangs in history to take them down.

It’s the morning of March 9, 2006, hours before
one of the largest motorcycle gang busts in United States history, and George
Rowe can’t sleep. He keeps thinking about the past three years he spent as an
informant for the ATF, working undercover with the Vagos, one of the most
dangerous biker gangs in the country. His fiancée, a struggling heroin addict
carrying their unborn child, is asleep next to him. She’s got no idea who he
really is, what he’s done, or what’s about to happen. How in the hell, Rowe wonders,
did it go so far and get so deep?

A gritty and harrowing memoir about human
redemption and self-sacrifice,Gods of Mischief tells the story of the first private
citizen to voluntarily infiltrate an outlaw motorcycle gang for the U.S.
government. George Rowe, drug dealer, barroom brawler, and convicted felon,
never thought he’d work for the feds. But when he watched the Vagos brutally
and senselessly beat his friend everything changed. He decided to pay back his
Southern California hometown by bringing down the gang that terrorized it. As
“Big George,” a full-patched member of the Vagos, Rowe spent three brutal years
juggling a double life—riding, fighting, and nearly dying alongside the
brothers that he secretly hoped to put away for good. The road to redemption
wasn’t an easy ride. Rowe lost everything: his family, his business, his home —
even his identity. To this day, under protection by the U.S. government, Rowe
still looks over his shoulder, keeping watch for the brothers he put behind
bars. They’ve vowed to search for him until the day they die.” – Gods
of Mischief

My Thoughts

Gods of
Mischief is the type of book that hooks you from the beginning. It is an
incredibly well-written account of the author’s life as an informant for the
federal government, aimed to take down the violent Vagos motorcycle gang that wreaked
havoc on his hometown. However, the author quickly learns that the road to hell
is paved with good intentions, and he is in way over his head.

Rowe is able to deliver his story with the passion
and brutal honesty only someone who has lived it could ever do a memoir like
this justice. It cuts out the Hollywood glamorization of gangsters and crime,
and shows how things really are. It will leave you with a much different
perspective of criminals and gangsters than when you first started reading. Not
all are bad, some can change (such as the author), some are worse than you
could ever have imagined, and they are much scarier in real life than they are
in the movies.

This is a book that is well worth reading. The
story is truly remarkable, and is one that I predict could be easily made into
a blockbuster movie. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Gods of Mischief, Touchstone, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

February 8, 2013

Effortless Mind by Ajayan Borys teaches
the reader about meditation, and how to have an effortless mind. Meditation
shouldn’t be hard, and he explains how to do it with ease. This is a great
beginner manual for meditating.

Book
Description

“Beginners and long-term meditators alike will
appreciate Ajayan Borys’s counterintuitive teaching that one needn’t control
the mind to experience the benefits of meditation. Instead, as with falling
asleep, ease is essential. Effort fuels accomplishment in the world of action,
but in the realm of meditation, struggle blocks success. And just as dreams are
a natural part of restful sleep, thoughts during meditation are no obstacle to
receiving wonderful, revitalizing results.

With clear,
user-friendly instruction, Ajayan presents classic techniques that can empower
even beginners to experience deep, effective meditation and can help veterans
go deeper. Offering eye-opening insights about finding growth and bliss in
everyday life,Effortless Mind is filled with the practical and
inspirational wisdom of a consummate teacher.”
– Effortless
Mind

My Thoughts

Effortless
Mind is a book that can honestly teach anyone how to meditate. It isn’t
just for those who are very Zen and peaceful. Meditation can truly be for
anyone, and Ajayan Borys shows that to anyone who reads this book.

In a society where everyone is always on the go
and trying to do more, meditation seems like it would be so hard to do. I’ve
tried to meditate many times, and often, I’m afraid I’m doing it wrong. To get
right down to the truth of it though, as long as you are trying, you are doing
it. It isn’t really that hard. The first step is wanting to do it, the second
is finding a teacher or a book to help you achieve it. This is the best book I’ve
found to do it.

This book covers the basics of meditation, and
then eases the reader into learning how to do different types of meditation.
Included in the book is chakra meditation, mantra meditation, and meditations
to promote health and longevity. You may find that you like certain types of
meditation more than others, or that you can only do one or two effectively, at
least for now – and that is okay!

I found this book to be incredibly helpful with
meditation. It does a fantastic job explaining the types of meditations, and
how to do them. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Effortless Mind, New
World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All
opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance continues
the “Ali Reynolds” mystery series, making for the eighth book in the series.
Fans of the series will love Ali’s investigation techniques, and close calls
throughout the book.

InDeadly Stakes, police
academy-trained former reporter Ali Reynolds is contacted to investigate the
grisly murder of a gold-digging divorcee on behalf of a woman accused of the
crime. Lynn Martinson is dating the dead woman’s ex-husband, and she and her
boyfriend Chip Ralston have been charged.

Ali is simultaneously drawn to the case of A.J. Sanders, a frightened teen with
secrets of his own. He’s the first to find the body in the Camp Verde desert
when he goes to retrieve a mysterious buried box hidden by his absent father—a
box that turns out to be filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars in poker
chips.

When the body of an ex-con is discovered near the first crime scene, Ali
struggles to determine if A.J. and Lynn’s cases are related. Though her friends
in the police department grow increasingly irritated by her involvement with
the cases, Ali must stop a deadly killer from claiming another victim…before
she herself is lost in this game of deadly stakes.”
– Deadly
Stakes

My Thoughts

Deadly
Stakes features the lovely Ali Reynolds, a “police academy-trained former
reporter.” She is the type of character who can go through just about anything,
and still come out looking fabulous, oh and solve the crime or mystery before
the police do.

The characters are a bit unbelievable, so is the
plot and subplots of the story, but who really cares? It is fiction and an
escape from reality. It is a fun read and continues the Ali Reynolds mystery
series. Fans of the series will likely love it, and I think newcomers to the
series will enjoy it as well. Just don’t expect it to be very realistic.

* Thank you
to the publisher of Deadly Stakes, Touchstone, for
providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my
own.

February 6, 2013

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille
Sibley is a complicated love story that brings up ethical questions when
considering life and death. It is written in such a way that showcases the
couple’s love for one another, while still focusing on the seriousness of the
current situation.

Book
Description

“Matt Beaulieu was two years old the first time he held Elle
McClure in his arms, seventeen when he first kissed her under a sky filled with
shooting stars, and thirty-three when they wed. Now in their late thirties, the
deeply devoted couple has everything—except the baby they've always wanted.

When
a tragic accident leaves Elle brain-dead, Matt is devastated. Though he cannot
bear losing her, he knows his wife, a thoughtful and adventurous scientist,
feared only one thing—a slow death. Just before Matt agrees to remove Elle from
life support, the doctors discover that she is pregnant. Now what was once a
clear-cut decision becomes an impossible choice. Matt knows how much this child
would have meant to Elle. While there is no certainty her body can sustain the
pregnancy, he is sure Elle would want the baby to have a chance. Linney, Matt's
mother, believes her son is blind with denial. She loves Elle, too, and insists
that Elle would never want to be kept alive by artificial means, no matter what
the situation.

Divided
by the love they share, driven by principle, Matt and Linney fight for what
each believes is right, and the result is a disagreement that escalates into a
controversial legal battle, ultimately going beyond one family and one single
life.

Told
with sensitivity and compassion,The
Promise of Stardustis an
emotionally resonant and thought-provoking tale that raises profound questions
about life and death, faith and medicine—and illuminates, with beauty and
grace, the power of love to wound . . . and to heal.”
– The
Promise of Stardust

My Thoughts

Warning: The
Promise of Stardust is the type of book that will make you cry. Be prepared
and have plenty of tissues nearby when reading.

After the tragic accident that left Elle brain
dead and on life support, her husband learns that she is pregnant with the
child they had both longed to have. However, there is nothing about that in the
decision for no life support. Elle’s husband, Matt believes that if she knew
she was pregnant, Elle would have wanted their child to have a chance to live.
Elle’s mother doesn’t want that for Elle though, and insists to have her
daughter taken off life support. The legal issues and love story make for a
highly thought provoking and sad tale of family loves and losses.

The characters were all created to be realistic,
and as a reader, I had compassion and understanding for all sides of this tale.
That isn’t an easy accomplishment, but Priscille Sibley created this story
flawlessly. I’ll remember this story and the characters in it for a long time.
I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Promise of Stardust, William
Morrow, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions
expressed are my own.

Literary Rogues by Andrew Shaffer is
a humorous look at how racy, scandalous, and quite wild literary authors can
be. Read about real life authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, F. Scott Fitzgerald,
Oscar Wilde, James Frey, and many more.

Book
Description

“Rock stars, rappers, and actors haven't
always had a monopoly on misbehaving. There was a time when authors fought with
both words and fists, a time when poets were the ones living fast and dying
young. This witty, insightful, and wildly entertaining narrative profiles the
literary greats who wrote generation-defining classics such asThe Great Gatsby andOn the Road while living and loving like
hedonistic rock icons, who were as likely to go on epic benders as they were to
hit the bestseller lists.Literary Rogues turns back the clock to consider
these historical (and, in some cases, living) legends, including Edgar Allan
Poe, Oscar Wilde, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy
Parker, Hunter S. Thompson, and Bret Easton Ellis. Brimming with fasci- nating
research,Literary Rogues is part nostalgia, part literary
analysis, and a wholly raucous celebration of brilliant writers and their
occasionally troubled legacies.”
– Literary
Rogues

My Thoughts

Literary
Rogues is a book that literary lovers will enjoy reading. It would make for
a perfect gift for a friend or family member that has a bookcase (or more)
filled with literary classics and New York Times bestsellers. Book lovers love
books, and this is one that is about many of their favorite authors, so
honestly, you can’t go wrong!

Andrew Shaffer has a fantastic sense of humor and
wit that makes this book easy and fun to read. I learned more about some of my
favorite authors, and enjoyed learning that many of them were also quite
eccentric and wild. Authors aren’t boring people, and this book really shows
how true that is! I love it and highly recommend it for everyone who loves
reading, which should really be everyone, right?

* Thank you
to the publisher of Literary Rogues, Harper
Perennial, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All
opinions expressed are my own.

February 3, 2013

The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter
by Jorge Cruise is the guidebook to the author’s diet plan to help lose weight
by cutting out hidden sugars and carbs in your diet. Learn how to do it quickly
with this book and then use it daily as a guide to staying on plan to lose
weight.

Book
Description

“Based on
the revolutionary #1New York
Timesbestseller that is
changing the way America eats, this is the only supermarket guide that exposes
the true cause of belly fat and disease: hidden sugar!

Transforming your health, energy, and waistline is
as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Unlock the secret to fat loss that food
conglomerates don't want you to know.

2. Follow the one simple menu that tells you
exactly what to eat to melt up to 9 pounds this week.

3. Discover thousands of "Belly Good"
items that make shedding pounds each week a snap.

With a bonus dining-out section featuring menu
items from some of your favorite restaurants, this comprehensive guide will
help you look and feel your best in no time at all!”
– The Belly Fat Cure
Sugar & Carb Counter

My Thoughts

The Belly
Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter is the book in Jorge Cruise’s program
that acts as a handy little guide to counting your daily sugar and carb
allowances. It doesn’t spend very many pages explaining the diet or giving you
pre-designed meal plans. It does however give a very fast intro to the diet, in
an easily understood manner to get started with it right away. Personally, I
really like this about it. I don’t think it needs a hundred pages to explain
something that is rather straightforward, so I like this short and simple
approach to it.

I won’t say how many grams of sugar or carbs are
allowed on this diet (buy the book to find that out!) but it is rather doable
for most people, I think. Losing up to 9 lbs in the first week is enough to
make me want to try this diet out soon. Plus, it doesn’t eliminate carbs and
sugars all together like many other diets do. Those don’t work for me, so just
cutting back and not eating the hidden sugars will hopefully work for me.

If you want to cut sugars and carbs down in your
diet, but still eat some and lose weight, this is definitely a plan you’ll want
to look into. I recommend checking it out and of course, before starting any
diet plan, talk to your doctor.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Belly Fat Cure Sugar & Carb Counter, Hay House, for providing me with a copy of
this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Art of True Healing by Israel
Regardie and edited by Marc Allen is a book on Western mysticism that unveils
how to use meditation exercises to help heal your body, mind, and spirit.

Book
Description

“The Art of True Healingdetails
a powerful exercise that stimulates the body, mind, and spirit to help us
create physical health and personal success. Originally published in 1932,
predating by more than a half century the current interest in the mind’s power
to heal, this concise work guides readers through what Israel Regardie calls
the Middle Pillar meditation — a technique that combines the mystical concepts
of yoga’s chakras and the Kabbalah’s Tree of Life to create a simple and
effective healing tool.

In this edition,
editor Marc Allen brings Regardie’s work into the twenty-first century —
showing us how to unleash energy to heal our bodies and, ultimately, every part
of our lives. Like few books before or since,The Art of True Healing provides both the theory and
practices necessary for attaining well-being and fulfillment.” – The
Art of True Healing

My Thoughts

The Art of
True Healing is a magical little book filled with pages that can truly help
to heal your physical body and your soul. You will learn about the force of
life, how to awaken your energy center, the art of healing, tuning in to the
infinite, and much more.

The “Middle Pillar” meditation can be used by all
of us, not just those who have practiced meditation for years. Beginners may
even be highly surprised by just how much they can benefit from reading this book
and doing this meditation. After all, who doesn’t want to try something to help
improve their lives and heal their health without the use of medications?

I like doing the meditations in this book because
you can alter them to suit your needs. They aren’t something you have to do
exactly like what is outlined, and for outside the box thinkers like myself,
that is perfect! I highly recommend this book to all.

* Thank you
to the publisher of The Art of True Healing, New World Library, for providing me
with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 2, 2013

“The Sims 3: Seasons”
is the expansion pack that is all about the changing seasons and different
weather to expect during each one. Now your Sims will be able to experience the
different holidays and activities that each season brings with it. If you love “The
Sims 3” games, this is definitely an expansion pack you don’t want to skip!

Game Description

“Let your Sims swim in the ocean on a
hot summer day, bob for apples in the autumn leaves, test their snowboarding
skill on the half pipe, or welcome spring showers with a walk in the rain and a
colorful umbrella. All-new activities, like soccer, and big seasonal festivals
and celebrations bring the spirit of each season to life. Your Sims can pucker
up at the kissing booth at the spring festival, or see what Halloween surprises
await in the haunted house. Dress for the weather with seasonal fashions from
sun dresses to raincoats and snow gear. With new foods, décor and weather
effects, your Sims can enjoy the bounty and beauty of the ever-changing seasons
and play with life like never before!

Key Features

oDelight your Sims with new
activities for every season: Whether building an intimate igloo, carving a
scary Jack o’ lantern, taking a plunge off the diving board, or setting off
all-new fireworks, your Sim can always find new things to do throughout the
year.

oJoin the fun with seasonal
festivals: Sims can get in a snowball fight at the annual winter festival, get
their faces painted at the summer festival, whoop it up at the spring dance, or
bob for apples during the fall festival.

oExperience the joy and challenge of
changing weather: New weather effects and Sim reactions capture the power and
beauty of nature! Sims can get a tan, be struck by lightning, or catch a cold!

oBring the outdoors inside: Your Sim
can now learn the recipe for pumpkin pie or style their home with new furniture
and décor. There are a host of new items to ring in each season. Get a tanning
booth in time for summer, or ring in the holiday spirit with house lights and
decorations.

oDress for the weather: Outfit your
Sim in new styles for the season, including snow gear, wetsuits, raincoats and
umbrellas, and new Halloween costumes!

oWelcome mysterious visitors: New
weather patterns aren’t the only things appearing in the sky! Befriend an alien
visitor and use their UFO to abduct a neighbor, invade a community lot, or
travel to the stars.” – The Sims 3: Seasons

My Thoughts

As
a very serious Sims player, I have been waiting for a long time to be able to
change the weather or seasons in the game. When I first heard that we’d have
that option with this new expansion pack, I was thrilled! Thankfully, after
playing it for about a month now, I can honestly say that I am continually
surprised by it and still love having it be a part of my gaming experience.
This is not an expansion pack that can get boring or overused because it is
integrated so well within your neighborhoods. I really enjoy it, and if you are
a Sims player, I think that you will too.

The
weather added to the game includes: sunny, rain, lightning, hail, snow, and
fog. Sims can experience many of the things that we can experience when dealing
with the weather. They can get stuck in the snow, have visible mist from their
mouth when it is cold, get struck by lightning, splash in puddles, and even get
sunburns if out in the sun for too long. Sims can also get sick now, so be sure
that they are in good health! If your Sim town is hit with an epidemic of the
flu, don’t worry, they can be cured with a vaccine.

One
of the additions I really like is that Sims can now swim in the oceans in the
game. I always wondered why they couldn’t before, but finally they can! If you
have pets though, they can’t swim out there with you. Probably for the best,
you wouldn’t want them to be some tasty shark bait, would you?

I
really enjoy all of the winter activities, so the snow addition is my favorite.
My Sims enjoy snowboarding on the half pipes, which can also be used year round
thanks to artificial snow. Sims can also build snowmen and igloos, which is
really fun for Sims of all ages to do. Sims can freeze, so don’t leave them
outside for too long.

There
is also a new lifestate that was added in “The Sims 3: Seasons” for aliens. I
love this addition, and am very glad that they added this lifestate again. I
haven’t had too much time to devote to this lifestate, but I hope to get to
make a whole alien colony in a neighborhood one day.

The
only thing I was a little bit disappointed about was the new clothing for the
Sims. Not very much was added for this expansion pack, but what was added is all
quite nice for seasonal wear. I could always use more clothing in the game, so
this is probably something only certain types of players would want more of.

Overall,
I really enjoy this expansion pack and think that it is one that everyone who
plays “The Sims 3” will enjoy. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to
the publisher of The Sims 3: Seasons, Electronic Arts, and Gamers
Gate for providing me with a
digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All experiences and
opinions expressed are my own.

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